AUBURN – David R. Johnson, 78, of 3 Warren Road, died Wednesday,September 10 in the UMass Memorial Medical Center-Memorial Campus,Worcester after an illness.

He leaves his wife of 55 years, Doris M. (Gamache) Johnson; two sons,Thomas Johnson of Ballston Spa, NY and Stephen D. Johnson of Oxford;two daughters, Linda M. Daley of Indianapolis, IN and Patricia A. Krauseof Millbury and fi ve grandchildren as well as many nephews and nieces.He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth Allen and his brothers,Herbert and Paul Johnson. He was born in Worcester, the son of the lateOscar and Helmi (Unge) Johnson and has lived in Auburn for 53 years. Hegraduated from Worcester public schools and the Worcester JuniorCollege.

Mr. Johnson was a foreman for the Wyman-Gordon Company, where hehad worked for more than 33 years, retiring in 1985.

Mr. Johnson served in the US Navy during World War II and the KoreanWar.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Auburn where he sang in thechoir; a member and former secretary for the Greendale Retired Men’sClub, Worcester, a member of the Auburn Lodge of Elks, # 2118 and theCavendish Bridge Club. Among his hobbies and activities, Mr. Johnsonwas an avid golfer and bowler, loved to travel and enjoyed gardening aswell as square and round dancing with his wife.

His funeral will be held on Saturday from the Britton-Wallace FuneralHome, 91 Central Street. Auburn with a Mass at 10 AM in St. Joseph’sChurch, 189 Oxford Street North, Auburn. Burial with Military Honors willbe in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours in the funeralhome are Friday, Sept. 12 from 5-8PM. The Auburn Lodge of Elks will beconducting a ritual at 7 PM.

If desired, donations may be made to the St. Joseph’s Church BuildingFund, 194 Oxford St., Auburn, MA 01501 in David’s memory.